Despite limited evidence that a chronic state of low-grade mucosal inflammation contributes to development of diverticulosis, a prospective study published in the June issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found no correlation of the disease with mucosal inflammation, upregulated immune markers, or gastrointestinal symptoms. Colonic diverticulosis (outpouchings from the colonic lumen) is

Patients hospitalized with acute pancreatitis have a 2-fold increased risk of pancreatic cancer compared with the general population, researchers report in the May issue of Gastroenterology. Acute pancreatitis is a sudden-onset inflammatory disease of the pancreas. Although acute pancreatitis promotes development of pancreatic cancer in mouse models, there have been conflicting findings from epidemiology

In a phase 2 study, researchers found no difference between a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) tablet and a placebo tablet in reducing pain measures in patients with chronic abdominal pain from pancreatitis or surgery. Authors Marjan de Vries and Harry van Goor explain their findings in their video abstract: The study was

Consumption of red meat, saturated fat, and cholesterol increase risk for gallstone-related acute pancreatitis, researchers report in the February issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Dietary fiber protects against acute pancreatitis—related and unrelated to gallstones—whereas coffee protects against acute pancreatitis not associated with gallstones, the study of thousands of patients

Aryl hydrocarbons in cigarette smoke activate an immune response that promotes pancreatic fibrosis and contributes to pancreatitis, researchers report in the December issue of Gastroenterology. The authors show that constituents of tobacco smoke activate signaling via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) to induce T-cell production of interleukin 22 (IL22), activating

In patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis, total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) reduces pain and requirements for narcotic therapy, and increases quality of life, researchers report in the September issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. This treatment should be considered when medical and endoscopic therapies have failed. Recurrent acute pancreatitis, caused

About the Author

Dr. Kristine Novak is the science editor for Gastroenterology and Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. She has worked as an editor at biomedical research journals and as a science writer for 15 years, covering advances in gastroenterology, hepatology, cancer, immunology, biotechnology, molecular genetics, and clinical trials. She has a PhD in cell biology and an interest in all areas of medical research.